Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Georgia: An Assessment of Current Standings of Law and Practice Regarding Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Georgia, and Recommendations for Future United Nations Country Team Involvement has been published by the United Nations Country Team in Georgia.  The authors of the Assessment are The Advocates for Human Rights and the Institute for Policy Studies in Georgia.

The UN Country Team in Georgia includes the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia (RC).  The authors of the assessment evaluated current research and conducted numerous interviews with law enforcement professionals, social and medical service providers and legislators in order to assess the problems of domestic abuse and child abuse in Georgia and the response of governmental agencies, international institutions and social service agencies to these complex issues.

The authors also made recommendations to the UN Country Team to support Georgia’s government institutions, social service organizations and advocacy organizations as they meet the challenges of implementing the new Law of Georgia on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection of and Support to Its Victims to better provide safety for abuse victims and accountability for offenders.  The law, enacted in May of 2006, addresses both domestic abuse and child abuse. Commentary on the new law is included in the assessment.

The UN Country Team has published the assessment in both English and Georgian, and will present it to all relevant government and social service agencies.  The UN Country Team is also developing a project proposal to implement the findings and recommendations of the assessment.